Martin's tenure was marked by several large awards, involving tens of millions of dollars, although an appellate court recently reversed $94 million in awards his office won against health care companies.

"Jerry put the office on the map," said Nashville civil rights attorney David Garrison. "Jerry's legacy will be tied to taking on causes that are tough and sometimes controversial."

Among cases that drew substantial attention was one that involved the opening of a mosque in Murfreesboro. Martin argued that Rutherford County officials created a "mosque standard" for public notices by presenting bureaucratic obstacles.

Martin recalled something the late Jim Neal once told him. Neal held the U.S. attorney office for less than a year and a half in the late 1960s, during which time he sent Teamsters president Jimmy Hoffa to prison.

"He said one of the things you should know is when best to leave," Martin said. "You never want to stay too long."

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